Media center begins operations, welcomes journalists

As the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 in Tianjin, the largest since the organization's inception, is poised to attract attention at home and abroad, a media center opened on Thursday to welcome Chinese and foreign journalists.

The event, which will be held on Sunday and Monday, marks the fifth time that China has hosted an SCO summit.

Li Chunyi, head of the information and public service team of the SCO summit media center, said, "Nearly 3,000 journalists have registered, with about 1,900 from domestic media and more than 1,000 from other countries."

The center will be operational from Thursday until the summit concludes on Monday, offering "comprehensive, high-quality services to media friends", Li said.

The media center, set up at the Tianjin Meijiang International Convention and Exhibition Center, which is adjacent to the main summit venue, spans 12,800 square meters and is divided into eight functional zones, providing services such as media workstations, news briefings, photo releases and summit news updates. It also features technology and culture interactive display areas and dining options, with shuttle services available for journalists.

To facilitate the hosting of the summit, nearly 1,000 young volunteers from 10 universities across Tianjin are engaged in more than 50 types of tasks, including providing reception, registration and material distribution services.

Lu Ruotong, a 24-year-old volunteer from Tianjin University, assists with transportation services for foreign journalists at the media center.

"We are responsible for coordinating the arrivals and departures of foreign journalists, ensuring that the timing and locations for both the drivers and journalists are well-organized," Lu said.

While performing their tasks, "we engage with the journalists, promoting Tianjin's rich history and cultural heritage", she said, adding that the volunteers "are not just guides, but also a window showcasing China's warmth to international friends".

The media center held its first news briefing on Thursday. A total of six news briefings will be given at the media center by ministries, local governments and organizations to present the latest outcomes of SCO cooperation and news updates regarding the summit.

jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn